Compliance Summary
Compliance Summary Tool
Transportation Modes
Service Functions
Regulations
All Topics
Please note: This summary is provided to help you understand the regulations. Consult the references provided for links to the full text of the regulations.

Regulations » Spill & Releases

Ballast Water & Invasive Species Summary Full Text
Diesel Fuel Storage Tanks Summary Full Text
EPCRA Summary Full Text
Fueling Operations - Best Practices Summary Full Text
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Summary Full Text
Spills and Leaks, Prevention (SPCC Rule) Summary Full Text
Spills and Leaks, Reporting Summary Full Text
Tanks, Underground Summary Full Text
Vessel General Permit Summary Full Text

Ballast Water & Invasive Species
Applies to: Any vessel, except for military and recreational vessels, that discharges ballast water into U.S. waters
Requires: Ballast water from any vessel must be discharged in according to the rules found in section 2.2.3 of the Vessel General Permit (even for vessels that do not require the permit to operate).
See also:
  • Clean Water Act (CWA)
  • Vessel General Permit (VGP)
  • Diesel Fuel Storage Tanks
    Applies to: Any facility with Diesel fuel storage capacity exceeding 110 gallons (for underground tanks) or 1,320 gallons (10,000 lb) for above-ground tanks
    Requires: For underground tanks: registration; leak detection and corrosion protection systems; insurance coverage. For above ground tanks: spill prevention and control plans, other safety-related requirements.
    See also:
  • Fueling Operations - Best Practices
  • Spills and Leaks, Prevention
  • Spills and Leaks, Reporting
  • Tanks, Underground
  • Emergency Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
    Applies to:

    A federal law specifying reporting requirements for facilities that use or store specific chemicals

    Requires:

    Any facility that is using or storing certain specific chemicals must inform state and local agencies that it is subject to EPCRA requirements

    See also:
    Fueling Operations - Best Practices
    Applies to: All vehicle fueling facilities
    Requires: Best practices -- voluntary, but recommended
    See also:
  • Diesel Fuel Storage Tanks
  • Oil, Used
  • Spills and Leaks, Prevention
  • Spills and Leaks, Reporting
  • Tanks, Underground
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
    Applies to: Any facility that owns and/or operates electrical equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in concentrations above a specified limit
    Requires: Equipment still in service must be inspected quarterly for leaks; out of service equipment cannot be sold, and cannot be stored for more than 30 days, but must be disposed of according to EPA regulations
    See also:
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Spills and Leaks, Prevention (SPCC Rule)
    Applies to: Any facility with aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 U.S. gallons, or completely buried oil storage capacity greater than 42,000 gallons. Oils covered under the rule include diesel fuel, gasoline, lubricating oils, water soluble machining oils, oil-filled electrical equipment, etc.
    Requires: Facilities are required to develop and implement a spill control plan
    See also:
  • Diesel Fuel Storage Tanks
  • Spills and Leaks, Reporting
  • Tanks, Underground
  • Spills and Leaks, Reporting
    Applies to: Any person, company or organization responsible for a release or spill
    Requires: Any person or organization responsible for a release or spill is required to notify the federal National Response Center when the amount reaches a federally determined limit
    See also:
  • Hazardous Waste Determination
  • Spills and Leaks, Prevention (SPCC Rule)
  • Tanks, Underground
    Applies to: Any facility having an underground tank storing more than 110 gallons of either petroleum or certain hazardous substances (some state rules may be more stringent)
    Requires: Facilities must register then installation with the appropriate state agency, must maintain leak detection, corrosion control, and other systems, and must follow closure requirements for temporarily or permanently closed tanks
    See also:
  • Diesel Fuel Storage Tanks
  • Oil, Used
  • Spills and Leaks, Prevention
  • Spills and Leaks, Reporting
  • Vessel General Permit
    Applies to: Any vessel 79 feet in length or greater, except for military and recreational vessels; applies also to any non-recreational vessel under 79 feet that discharges ballast water into U.S. waters
    Requires: Vessel owners and operators must comply with requirements that include: assuring their discharges meet effluent limits, taking corrective actions to fix permit violations, and keeping and reporting records of inspections and monitoring data
    See also:
  • Ballast Water and Invasive Species
  • Bilgewater
  • Clean Water Act (CWA)
  • Graywater
  • Ocean Dumping
  • Vessel Sewage Discharge
  • TERC Home